For Hawkeye, hearing Cyrus say he had taken a trip to Mary Geoise made it very hard not to think of the huge incident that had happened there before.
That incident had shaken the sea, and even now, its aftershocks were still enormous.
In the past, injuring even one Celestial Dragon would bring an Admiral down on someone's head.
Yet during that incident, countless Celestial Dragons had been killed or wounded.
Outsiders did not know the exact number of casualties, but one thing was clear.
Half of Mary Geoise had been completely destroyed by the man before him and turned into a passage leading to the New World.
That was why, when Hawkeye heard Cyrus say he had gone there again, even he, who rarely paid attention to outside information these days, was so shocked.
As for Kuina and Zoro, the four eyes between them stared blankly, their gazes utterly clear and innocent.
"Hm? Why would you think that?"
Cyrus curled his lips, his tone clearly somewhat unhappy.
"I'm a good person, all right? Most of the time, I'm very easy to talk to, and I rarely draw my sword."
A good person?
Hearing that, Hawkeye almost rolled his eyes and showed a speechless expression.
Fortunately, he managed to suppress it for the sake of his image.
"So, when you went to Mary Geoise this time, you didn't make a move?"
The speechless Hawkeye pressed further.
"I did." Cyrus spread his hands, his face completely calm.
Hawkeye: "…"
'If I could beat you, I would draw my beloved Yoru right now and chop you into paste!'
Hawkeye stared at Cyrus with an unfriendly look.
"Then what was the point of everything you just said?"
"There was no point."
Cyrus spread his hands with an open, honest expression.
"I was just joking." Cyrus said this with a smile.
"You…"
Hawkeye gripped Yoru on his back in a reverse hold, as though he might draw it in the next second.
"Are you having fun?"
After the corner of Hawkeye's mouth twitched several times, he loosened his grip on the hilt.
That action disappointed both Kuina and Zoro.
Although Hawkeye had indeed taught them many things recently, if they could watch two top-tier powerhouses fight, they would naturally be more than willing.
As for the two giants, they had already quieted down after Cyrus appeared.
Ace, meanwhile, seemed to be thinking something unknown. He had not left according to the giant's reminder.
At this moment, his eyes were fixed on Cyrus.
As for Cyrus, he did not pay much attention to Ace.
Although Ace had been one of the important supporting characters in the original story, by now, the number of important original supporting characters who had died or been injured by Cyrus's hands was already too many to count.
"That tone doesn't suit the world's greatest swordsman."
Cyrus smiled as he spoke.
No matter what, Hawkeye had really done him a favor this time.
Cyrus had asked him to temporarily guide and protect Kuina and Zoro, and Hawkeye had actually come.
"I am not necessarily the world's greatest swordsman now. After all, before this, that identity had already fallen onto you. I still can't cut open the Red Line with a single slash."
Although Hawkeye's powerful slashes could split the sea and cut apart clouds in the sky, the Red Line was called a continent for a reason.
It was like a giant belt wrapped around the entire planet.
Cutting through it was unimaginably difficult.
"Is that so?"
Cyrus raised an eyebrow and lowered his head to look at Zoro and Kuina.
"So I'm the world's greatest swordsman now?"
"Mm-hmm!"
The two nodded together.
Kuina spoke.
"There really are many people saying that now. Although you haven't defeated Hawkeye head-on, because of what you did before, a lot of people say you're the real world's greatest swordsman."
As Kuina spoke, Zoro nodded beside her like a chick pecking rice.
"And many people are looking forward to seeing you two fight, so they can decide who the true greatest swordsman is."
Zoro looked excited as he added this from the side.
"So your future goal might be me, then?"
After hearing that, Cyrus's face filled with a smile.
But, in Kuina and Zoro's eyes, that smile seemed packed with endless malice.
It's over.
In that instant, the same thought appeared in both their hearts.
Cyrus was going to beat them up!
"So why exactly did you come this time?"
Seeing Cyrus tease Kuina and Zoro, Hawkeye opened his mouth and asked.
He did not believe someone like Cyrus would run all the way here for no reason.
"Can't i come and see how's my juniors are doing?"
Cyrus crossed his arms and asked back.
"I'm the senior!" Zoro instinctively argued.
"Nonsense!"
Hearing that, Cyrus immediately turned his head and retorted.
"Back then, we clearly agreed that whoever was strongest would be the senior."
The moment he said that, Zoro almost began doubting his life.
'Did we?'
'When did we say that?'
Zoro hurriedly searched his memories, trying to see if they had really made that agreement.
Kuina held her forehead in one hand.
"Cyrus, Zoro is already stupid enough. Don't tease him!"
Kuina's words made Zoro explode instantly. His already short green hair stood up strand by strand.
He was literally bristling with rage!
"Enough."
Cyrus waved a hand.
"I came this time to have you participate in the Hunter Exam."
"Even if you hadn't said it, we were going."
Hearing this, Zoro pressed a hand against the three swords at his waist, his face serious.
Clearly, he had already made that decision long ago.
"I will participate as well."
Before Cyrus could speak, Hawkeye spoke first.
Cyrus turned to look at Hawkeye in surprise, and for once, an unexpected expression appeared on his face.
"Although the Guild does not force those who pass the exam to join, outsiders will think anyone who participates wants to join the Guild. And if it's you, I can directly announce that you've joined."
Hawkeye shook his head.
"That is exactly why I feel that after you created such a huge commotion, there will definitely be no shortage of swordsmen participating in this exam. Perhaps among them, some may grow into decent opponents. So I'll treat this as an early search for future rivals."
"If you want an opponent, come to me. My swordsmanship is pretty good too."
When Cyrus heard that, he raised a hand and pressed it against the sword hilt at his waist, as if showing how convincing his words were.
"You?"
Hearing this, Hawkeye looked Cyrus up and down.
Then an awkward smile appeared on his face.
"You think my swordsmanship isn't good?"
Cyrus understood the meaning hidden in Hawkeye's expression, and his own face turned unfriendly.
"I can't beat you in a fight, but if we're talking about swordsmanship…"
Hawkeye did not finish, but his meaning was already very obvious.
Cyrus, your swordsmanship is seriously terrible.
"You bastard…"
Cyrus pressed his hand against his sword hilt and slowly began drawing his blade, looking as though he intended to teach Hawkeye a lesson.
Then a giant's head leaned over.
"Long time no see, Cyrus." Broggy spoke.
Even without shouting, his voice was still like muffled thunder.
"It hasn't even been a few months, has it? To you giants, that much time is probably just a quick nap."
After being interrupted, Cyrus released his grip on his sword and turned to Broggy.
"Giants do sleep a little longer, but we don't sleep that long."
"I was using a metaphor!"
Cyrus felt speechless for a moment, but then he remembered the personalities of these two giants and let it go.
He had to avoid letting the two giants drag his intelligence down to their level, then defeat him with their abundant experience.
"Gegyagyagya! Cyrus, can you not attack this little guy? He is our dear disciple." Dorry spoke, his thunderous voice asking the question.
Hearing this, Cyrus turned and looked at Ace, who was standing frozen not far away.
"Is he a pirate?" Cyrus asked.
"Yes!"
Before anyone else could speak, Zoro immediately nodded.
"This guy is not only a pirate, but an extremely arrogant one! He even provoked the Guild, and we chased him all the way from East Blue to the Grand Line."
"I only came to the Grand Line for adventure! It's not like you chased me here!"
Ace was being stubborn.
But that was fine.
Cyrus specialized in treating stubborn mouths!
"In that case, you really are a pirate."
Cyrus raised a hand and pushed aside Zoro, who had planned to stop him and deal with Ace himself.
He walked to Ace's side and looked down at the freckled, energetic young man from above.
"I'll give you a chance to become strong. Go participate in the Hunter Exam. This time, I've taken out dozens of Devil Fruits. Maybe one of them will suit you."
"My fists are my strongest weapons!"
Ace raised his fist, about to boast about himself, but then he saw Cyrus's expression.
"You will take the exam, right?"
A threat.
Not only did Ace feel as though he had fallen into an ice cellar, even Zoro and Kuina looked at Cyrus in surprise.
"So he really is the Pirate King's son?"